Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was accused of colluding with INEC officials to doctor figures and suppress voters.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Collation officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Teddy Adias, has adjourned proceeding over alleged threats to his life and family.
Elections in Rivers State were held under controversial circumstances on February 25. Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was accused of colluding with INEC officials to doctor figures and suppress voters. He has since denied the allegation.
On Monday, while collating results of 21 local government areas, Adias raised the alarm over threats to his life by those who accused him of being on a mission to rig the Rivers poll.
The collation officer, who is also Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa, said on Tuesday that the threats have continued, lamenting that he has received more than one million calls from persons threatening him.
Adias was left with the results of only two local governments before adjourning. He accused the Labour Party of being after his life.
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He said until INEC assured him of his safety, he would not resume the collation of Rivers results.
He said: “I have been receiving text messages and calls from members of the public, calling me to order and threatening my life and members of my family. For the avoidance of doubts, my role is limited to merely receiving reports.
“I am not privy to any facts and figures emanating from the conduct of an election. I am not involved in voting, counting, and revalidation. My life is being threatened because I have elected to serve my country.
“I request for every necessary protection. I wish to adjourn further collation of this report. I am not the returning officer. We only sit here to receive reports. For every hour I receive more than one million calls.”
Despite the assurances of the police commissioner in charge of the election, Adeoye Aderemi, on security, Adias insisted on suspending collation till further notice.